'Tis the season of giving and on a cold December morning the Soldiers of 4th Cavalry Brigade gathered to deliver toys to the Fort Knox American Red Cross. The Soldiers along with family members and even some four-legged ones, rucked toys of all shapes and sizes from the 4th Cav. Bde Headquarters in support of Fort Knox Red Cross Santa's workshop and Candy Cane lane Dec.12.
The mission of Santa’s Workshop and Candy Cane Lane is to provide toys for military families who are financially challenged during the holiday season.
“Those wishing to apply would have to submit an application for Santa’s Workshop to the main Red Cross office here on Fort Knox,” said Karly Gadell, lead for Santa’s workshop and volunteer at the Fort Knox Red Cross. “Once the application is received it is then reviewed by a committee and once approved the family is able to come and shop.”
Santa’s Workshop serves Fort Knox military families with children ages two years to 13 years of age who are currently living with the Soldier and under the Soldier’s Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System or DEERS.
Parents begin shopping at Santa’s Workshop within the first two weeks of December. Volunteers assist parents in selecting toys for their children.
“Each family gets four toys per kid, a book, and a sporting good like a bike,” said Gadell. “So they end up leaving with quite a bit of toys.”
The families that get approved for Santa’s workshop are also approved for Candy Cane Lane.
“Candy Cane Lane is a program that allows children to come and shop for their family members,” said Sandy Bosum, lead for Candy Cane lane and volunteer at the Fort Knox Red Cross. “After the child picks out the gifts, volunteers wrap the gifts so that the kids have something to put under the tree for their loved ones.”
According to the volunteers, approximately 124 Families helped this year but there is always room to help more.
“I want people to know that these programs are out there and to take advantage of it,” said Gadell. “But I also want to get the information out there that commands can also put in applications for their soldiers, we all know that sometimes it is not always easy to ask for help.”
Volunteers are needed year-round to help shop for toys, re-stock and organize the workshop. If someone wishes to donate toys during the holiday season there are toy barrels place around post and throughout the rest of the year donations can be dropped off at the Fort Knox Red Cross office.